“So let us begin anew remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.”

— John F. Kennedy, January 1961 inaugural speech

Henry Ledyard is the only man at the League of Women Voters. I am the only non-citizen. I like to think of us as the American anomaly, proving true the great experiment in the republic of individual governance.

The league’s emphasis on the value of study, acquiring knowledge of government at all levels, and the power of the informed vote is characteristic of America. Americans, who eschew politics because of its cantankerous and partisan nature, may want to visit the league’s Mountain Parks unit.

Barbara Morton of Golden and Sylvia Robertson of Hiwan, who invited me to attend, are typical of the women at the league. Intelligent. Involved. Conversant in government and major public policy issues. Persuaded that the women here believe as Emerson did — “He that is once admitted to the right of reason is made freeman of the whole estate” — I became a member, albeit non-voting.

Americans of voting age who feel disempowered or hopeless about influencing public policy might consider joining the league. People like J. David McSwane, editor of The Collegian at Colorado State University, and his uncivil speech need not define America’s political future.

In the words of Yale Law School Professor Owen M. Fiss, author of “The Irony of Free Speech,” the question is, “How free is the speech of someone who can’t be heard?” If we condone and defend profanity as “free speech” for Americans, by Americans, how then do we model civil conversation and liberties for the rest of the world? Or balance equality and liberty?

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy. Its people are working against tremendous religious oppression, an unjust government and lack of civil rights and liberties. First Amendment rights, free speech? Forget it. And yet, uncivil speech against the Malay-Muslim supremacist government or the prime minister is, to use an Americanism, a no-brainer. People like McSwane — who published a profanity in The Collegian about President George W. Bush — seem to believe that profane language is reserved to “make a point.” The only intelligible point made by him is one that mom made: “Wash that boy’s mouth out with soap.”

In politics and government, there is no substitute for the right of reason. Our ears are not virgin to the vocabulary of young Americans. Using an expletive will not impact government. Gandhi did not swear. Thoreau modeled civil disobedience (emphasis on “civil”).

So, yes, let us begin anew — working intelligently to impact government and society in a nonpartisan civil environment.